Johnson and Grosjean take first laps on Indy's famed oval
IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti, left, stands with driver Romain Grosjean at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. Grosjean was named driver of the No. 28 for Andretti sponsored by DHL beginning next season and will drive the entire season, including the Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti, left, stands with driver Romain Grosjean at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. Grosjean was named driver of the No. 28 for Andretti sponsored by DHL beginning next season and will drive the entire season, including the Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Sep. 24, 2021 05:20 PM EDT
FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson interacts with crew members in his garage during a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The first season on Johnson's midlife career change closes Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, with the IndyCar season finale, a week after his strongest moments yet through 11 races in a brand new discipline. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson interacts with crew members in his garage during a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The first season on Johnson's midlife career change closes Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, with the IndyCar season finale, a week after his strongest moments yet through 11 races in a brand new discipline. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Sep. 24, 2021 02:57 PM EDT
Burn scars are seen on the hands of IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean, from Geneva, Switzerland, following Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, in Long Beach, Calif. Grosjean, who qualified sixth for Sunday's race, was involved in a fiery crash last season while racing Formula 1. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

Burn scars are seen on the hands of IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean, from Geneva, Switzerland, following Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, in Long Beach, Calif. Grosjean, who qualified sixth for Sunday's race, was involved in a fiery crash last season while racing Formula 1. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

Sep. 25, 2021 06:47 PM EDT
FILE - Romain Grosjean (51) smiles before the start an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. Grosjean will move to Andretti Autosport next season and drive the full 17-race schedule, including the Indianapolis 500. The Frenchman has fallen in love with IndyCar since moving to the series this season from Formula One. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

FILE - Romain Grosjean (51) smiles before the start an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. Grosjean will move to Andretti Autosport next season and drive the full 17-race schedule, including the Indianapolis 500. The Frenchman has fallen in love with IndyCar since moving to the series this season from Formula One. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Sep. 24, 2021 02:45 PM EDT
FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. When a pair of poor finishes cost Alex Palou the IndyCar points lead, the second-year driver found teammate Johnson for a pair of pep talks. Johnson may be an IndyCar rookie on the track, but the intangibles he brings to Chip Ganassi Racing as a seven-time NASCAR champion are invaluable. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. When a pair of poor finishes cost Alex Palou the IndyCar points lead, the second-year driver found teammate Johnson for a pair of pep talks. Johnson may be an IndyCar rookie on the track, but the intangibles he brings to Chip Ganassi Racing as a seven-time NASCAR champion are invaluable. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Sep. 13, 2021 10:29 AM EDT
FILE - Jimmie Johnson puts on his helmet getting ready for the start of the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Johnson fulfilled a childhood dream Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, when the 46-year-old IndyCar rookie at long last got to drive a race car on his home track. Johnson is a superstar with seven NASCAR championships but he grew up an open-wheel fan from El Cajon who idolized Rick Mears. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

FILE - Jimmie Johnson puts on his helmet getting ready for the start of the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Johnson fulfilled a childhood dream Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, when the 46-year-old IndyCar rookie at long last got to drive a race car on his home track. Johnson is a superstar with seven NASCAR championships but he grew up an open-wheel fan from El Cajon who idolized Rick Mears. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Sep. 24, 2021 02:56 PM EDT